Bose-Einstein-condensate source on an optical-grating-based atom chip for quantum sensor applications

Abstract: We report the preparation of Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) by integrating laser cooling with a grating magneto-optical trap (GMOT) and forced evaporation in a magnetic trap on a single chip. This new approach allowed us to produce a $6 \times 10^4$ atom Bose-Einstein condensate of rubidium-87 atoms with a single laser cooling beam. Our results represent a significant advance in the robustness and reliability of cold atom-based inertial sensors, especially for applications in demanding field environments.